When?

Vatasavithri is celebrated on Jyeshta shukla pournima

Who should do this vrata?

This vrata is mainly observed by the married women for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands and they pray for a happy and peaceful married life

This sacred vrata is dedicated to Goddess Gauri and Sati Savitri

Story of Savitri and Satyavan

The story of Savitri and Satyavanis presented in the VanaParva of the epic Mahabharata.

Savitri was born to the king of Madra kingdom, Asvapati as a boon to this king, granted by the sun god Savitr. As she grew up into a fine young lady, her father told her to find her own husband.

She set out on a pilgrimage for this purpose, and came across Satyavan , who was the son of blind Dyumatsena, king of the Salwa Kingdom.

After losing his eye sight, he lived as a forest dweller in exile. Lord Narada did not approve of the choice as Satyavan was destined to die after an year and he told this to Savitri’s father, who also did not approve of the choice.

Since Savitri was determined to marry Satyavan, his father gave in. After her marriage, Savitri lived the life of a hermit and went to live in the forest with her husband and in-laws.

Exactly three days before the death of her husband Satyvan, she observed a rigorous fast and followed her husband into the forest after seeking permission from her father-in-law.

On the day Satyavan was destined to die, while he was cutting wood, he suddenly fell very weak and layed his head on Savitri’s lap and passed away.

Then Lord Yama, the God of death himself came to claim Satyavan’s soul but Savitri refused to allow him to take her husband’s soul. As Yama carried Satyavan’s soul, Savitri followed him and when she was told to return back by the God of death, she offered words of wisdom. Lord Yama was impressed by the speech of savitri. He praised her for her choice of words and intelligence and offered to grant her three wishes.

She asked for the return of the eye sight of her father-in-law along with his kingdom. She also asked for hundred sons for her father-in-law, as the second wish and then hundred son for herself, as the third wish. Yama granted all the three wishes and the last wish created a dilemma as it could not materialize without giving back the life of her husband Finally, Lord Yama accepted defeat and returned Satyavan’s soul. This is how Savitri, with her wisdom and dedication brought her husband back to life.

The Importance of Banyan Tree

It is  believed that by performing all the rituals of the puja below this scared tree, all the desires of the devotees are fulfilled

On the purnima, in the month of Jyestha, the idols of Savitri-Satyava nand Yamraj riding a buffalo, made from god or mud, are brought by the devotees and these are then worshipped with the Banyan tree

How to celebrate?

• Do Alankara to Parvati Parameshwara photo, Do samarpana of arisina, kumkuma, chandana, pushpa maala, gaja vastra
•  sing devara nama, neivedya of mango and mangalarathi.
• for mutthaidharu, distribute Thaamboola Dakshina, and mangoes